Bloom-Carroll's Schmitz had to endure 10 months without playing basketball

Bulldogs' Schmitz endured 10 months without playing

6:29 AM,
Jan. 14, 2014

Joey Schmitz scrimmages during Bloom-Carroll basketball practice Monday evening at Bloom-Carroll Middle School in Carroll. Schmitz returned to action for the Bulldogs last week, scoring his 1,000 career point in first game back.

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With everything that Joey Schmitz has had to endure during the past 10 months, it was fitting he would reach a milestone in his first game back for the Bloom-Carroll boys basketball team.

Schmitz, who helped lead the Bulldogs to a Division III regional final in March, played through pain for the entire 2012-13 season. It later was revealed he had torn ligaments in his ankle. After taking six weeks off after the final tournament game, his ankle hadn't healed.

He had surgery May 30, which meant he would miss summer workouts heading into his senior season. Schmitz finally was released for action ...